This is a story about a mistreated betta who passes away and struggles to forgive his owner for the things she did to him.

Forgiveness
Part One

The soft white light enveloped him. Oh no, what was happening now? What was she doing? He felt the pain from his ammonia burns begin to ebb away, and a strange, tingling feeling pulsed through him, replacing the pain. He lay there for a moment, seeing nothing but the white light, and then he felt the sensation of swimming very, very fast. Water whooshed past him, and he was plunged into darkness. He was terrified, but he found he could not struggle.

Then all was quiet. Pictures, pieces of memories flashed through his mind. She was bringing him home in his cup, water sloshing around him, and he was frightened. Jerky movements sent him crashing against the walls of his cup. Then she spoke, loud and booming
"Mommy, I will caw this pwetty fish Wed!"
And so Wed, or Red was poured into a tiny bowl. He shivered. It was cold, almost colder than his cup. And something was not right with the water.

The memory faded, and he found himself in a stream, a stream with a gentle current and good, clean water. Another male betta was staring at him.

Red braced himself for an attack, but instead, the other betta seemed to speak to him, offering reassurance that it did not mean to attack. He could understand it! He'd never been able to talk to other bettas before, but this betta seemed to be able to speak to him through his thoughts!

The other betta turned and swam slowly away. Red knew it meant for him to follow, because it spoke to him inside his head.